Locomotive tender



. June 4, 1940. N. M. LOWER LOCOMOTIVE TENDER Filed Dec. 16, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 T ORNEYS June 4,1940. I N M, L ER 2,203,098

LOCOMOTIVE TENDER Filed Dec. 16, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Naihan M. Lower 42 44 9 45 4 AT RNEYS Patented June 4, 1940 LOOOMOTIVE TENDER.

Nathan M. Lower, Erie, Pa., assignor to The Standard Stoker Company, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Application December 16,1937, Serial No. 180,095

13 Claims.

This invention relates to locomotive tenders which are equipped with a fuel conveyor of a loco motive stoker. v

It is an object of this invention to improve the drive mechanism associated with the rearward end of the fuel conveyor.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel arrangement in a drive mechanism for the tender conveyor of a locomotive stoker whereby inspection and repair of such drive mechanism is facilitated.

A further object of this invention contemplates an arrangement in a locomotive tender whereby access to the interior of the drive gearing for the stoker conveyor may be had from the fuel bin.

Other objects, together with their attendant advantages will become apparent as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a vertical medial section through the forward portion of a locomotive tender with the invention as viewed along the line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22'of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating a modification, as viewed along line 55 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 36 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on the line 1'| of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the tender T includes a base frame Ill upon which is supported a tank H having a fuel compartment .12 and a water compartment I3. The fuel compartment 12 is separated from the water compartment l3 by the rear slope sheet l4, side slope sheets l5,

l6 and the bottom sheet ll. Between the lower ends of the slope sheets l4, l5 and It, the bottom sheet H is provided with a central slot or aperture l8 through which coal is adapted to fall into a trough conduit IQ of the stoker conveyor C. A series of slidable plates 20 are utilized for controlling the effective size of the aperture I8 whereby coal may be fed into the trough conduit l9 from successive zones within the fuel compartment l2.

In transverse cross section, the trough conduit I9 is approximately V-shaped with vertical sides I 2|, 22 terminating slightly below the bottom sheet I1. Along each respective vertical side 2|, .22,

the trough conduit I9 is provided with an outwardly turned angle iron 23, 24 whereby the trough conduit l9 may be firmly secured to the underside of the bottom sheet l1 in water-tight upon an intermediate shaft 56.

provided with an imperforate plate 25 having a foot 23 secured. to the base frame It. Intermediate foot members 21 are also utilized for supporting the trough conduit [9 above the frame it. A conveyor screw 28 is rotatably mounted in the trough conduit l9 and urges fuel forwardly. Oversize lumps of fuel are engaged by teeth of a crusher 29, which is secured to the plate 25, and reduced to proper size. On the forward side of the plate 25 a spherical shell 33 is secured by bolts 3| to form one element of a ball and socket connection between the conveyor C and a conveyor leading forwardly to the locomotive (not shown).

The conveyor screw 28 is operated from its rearward end of drive means D comprising a gear housin 32 provided on its front wall 33 with a flange 34 to which the rear end 35 of the trough conduit I9 is secured in a water-tight manner. The rear wall 36 of the gear housing 3 2 is imperforate and has secured thereto a plate 31, forming a support for the rearward end of the conveyor C. Considered in transverse cross section,

the gear housing 32 is approximately U-shaped,

opening upwardly through its top. The upper portion of the gear housing 33 is bounded by a lateral flange 38 which is secured to the under side of the bottom sheet ll so as to form a water tight joint. The opening 39 in the upper portion of the gear housing is closed by a detachable cover 40 which is spaced below a hinged portion 4| of the bottom sheet ll.

At one side of the trough conduit I9 is a tube 42 (Figs. 2 and 3) within which is mounted a drive shaft 43 leading from a suitable prime mover. The tube 42 extends between the plate 25 and the front wall 33 of the gear housing 32, being secured thereto by means of welding as indicated in Fig. 3. A coupling member 43 is carried by the shaft 43 and it is adapted to operatively engage the forward end 45 of the primary pinion shaft 46 by means of a bolt 9. In axial alignment with the shaft 43, the gear housing front wall 33 is provided with a bore 41 within which a bearing 48 is received. Longitudinal movement of said bearing 48 with respect to said bore 47 is'restrained by a set screw 50 which engages a groove 49 extending circumferentially of said bearing Ml. The front journal of the primary pinion shaft 46 is mounted in the bearing 28 while the rear journal 52 of this shaft is mounted in a bearing 53 formed in the imperforate rear wall 36 of the gear housing 32. Intermediate the journals 5|, 52, the shaft 46 is provided with a pinion 54 which is cut on the shaft and being of a diameter less than the diameter of the bore 41.

The pinion 54 is meshed by a gear 55 mounted The rear journal 51 of the shaft 56 is mounted in a bearing 58 formed in the imperforate rear wall 36, while the front journal '58 of the shaft 55 is mounted in a bearing member 6i! which is detachably secured to the front wall 33 of the gear housing 32 within the confines of the trough conduit I9. Adjacent its rear journal 51, the intermediate shaft 56 carries a key or feather 6!. This key 6! enters a key way in the hub of the intermediate gear 55, providing a driving connection between the shaft 56 and the gear 55 while permitting removal of the shaft 56 and key 6| in a forward direction. Immediately rear of the front journal 59, the shaft 56 has cut thereon an intermediate pinion E2, the external diameter of which is less than the bore 63 of the front wall 33 and into which bore 33 the bearing member 60 is fitted.

The intermediate pinion 62 meshes with a gear 64 mounted on the main drive shaft 65 arranged axially of the conveyor screw 28. Rearward of the gear 6 3, the shaft $5 is provided with a rear journal 66 mounted in a bearing 61 formed in the imperforate rear wall 38. The front journal 58 of shaft 65 is mounted in a bearing69 formed in the front wall 33, the internal diameter of said bearing 59 being large enough to permit forward withdrawal of the shaft 65 and key '18 which is utilized to operatively connect the gear 35 to the shaft E55. A polygonal forward portion H of the shaft 65 enters a corresponding socket if in the conveyor screw 28, forming a driving connection between the conveyor screw 28 and the main drive shaft 65. A plate 78 is secured to the forward side of bearing 69 and prevents forward motion of the main drive shaft 55 during normal stoker operation. Thrust washers i4, 65 are disposed between the plate l3 and the rear of conveyor screw 28. To prevent the conveyor screw 28 and drive shaft 65 from pulling apart during normal stoker operation, a bolt 76 is used.

Whenever it is desired to inspect the condition of the gears within the housing 32, it may be done from within the fuel compartment i2 by swinging open the hinged portion l! of the bottom sheet IT. This exposes the cover d0, which may then be detached and an inspection made through the opening 39. The gears and associated shafting may also be removed by a mechanic while in the fuel compartment l2. With the slidable plates 20 moved forwardly to form an opening immediately above the rear portion of the trough conduit It, the intermediate pinion shaft 56 may be withdrawn forwardly upon removal of the detachable bearing member fill. It will be understood that the hinged portion M of the bottom sheet H is first removed and the cover 40 detached, so that as the pinion shaft 5% is drawn forwardly, the gear 55 may be removed through the opening 39. In order to remove the gear 54 and the main drive shaft 65, the conveyor screw 28 is uncoupled and plate 13 removed to permit fcrward withdrawal of the main drive shaft 65.

The gear 64 is removed through the opening- 39. By loosening the set screw 50, the drive shaft E3, bearing 48 and primary pinion shaft 46 may be withdrawn through the tube 62.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, the trough conduit is supported above the tender base frame it and carries a gear housing 76. The trough conduit 15 and gear housing 16 are each provided with a flange H to which is attached the lower ends of the fuel bin forming slope sheets i l, 15 and it. The upper side of the gear housing '16 is provided with an opening it] which is covered by a detachable cover 19 disposed within the fuel compartment I2.

A conveyor screw 28 is'rotatably mounted in the trough conduit 15 and it is operatively con-.-

nected to the drive shaft 8!] which is journaled inthe gear housing 16 and has keyed thereto a drive gear 8!. The front journal 82 of the shaft is carried by a bearing member 83' detachable from the front Wall 85 of the gear housing. At one side of the trough conduit 15 a bearing 85 is formed, to the forward side of which a tube 86 is secured for housing the shaft 87. The shaft 8! is journaled in the bearing 85 and enters into a cavity 88 within which it is coupled at 89 to the pinion shaft 86. A detachable bearing 9| supports the pinion shaft 90 which is provided with a pinion 92 meshing with the gear 8|. The cavity 88 opens laterally into the trough conduit 15. If desired, a detachable guard plate 93 may be used to cover the opening between the trough conduit 15 and the cavity 88.

As in the preferred form, inspection of the gearing may be had from a position in the fuel through tube 86, then the guard plate 93 is removed to permit removal of coupling 89 and bearing 8!, whereupon the pinion shaft 89 may be withdrawn into the cavity 88. In like manner, the conveyor screw 28 is uncoupled and bearing member 83 detached to permit forward withdrawal of shaft 88. The drive gear 8i may be removed through the openingl8.

It will thus be seen that by the present invention, inspection and repair of locomotive stoker drive mechanism can be readily accomplished.

I claim: 7

1. In a locomotive tender having a floor and a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor, said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism for. operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment/said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a drive shaft in said gear housing operatively connected to said conveyor screw, a bearing at the front wall of said gear housing for supporting said drive shaft, a gear in said. housing operatively connected to said drive conveyor positioned below the level of said fioor,

said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyorv screw rotatably mounted in said .75

trough conduit, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel coinpartment, said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a drive shaftin said gear housing operatively connected to said conveyor screw, a bearing detachably secured to the front wall of said gear housing for supporting said drive shaft, a gear in said housing operatively connected to said drive shaft,

said drive shaft arranged to be withdrawn from said gear housing through the front wall thereof and said gear arranged for withdrawal through the upward opening of said gear housing upon withdrawal of said shaft through the front wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening, said cover being accessible from said fuel compartment.

3. In a locomotive tender having a floor and a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor, said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism'for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism. including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, said gear housing including a rear Wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a pair of shafts in said gear housing, bearings at the front wall of said gear housing for supporting said shafts, a gear mounted on each of said shafts, each of said shafts arranged to be withdrawn forwardly through the front wall thereof and said ears arranged for withdrawal through the upward opening of said gear housing upon withdrawal of said shafts through the front wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening, said cover being accessible from said fuel compartment.

4. In a locomotive tender'having a floor and a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor, said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism, for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a pair of shafts in said gear housing, detachable bearings at the front wall of said gear housing for supporting said shafts, a gear mounted on each of said shafts, each of said shafts arranged to be withdrawn forwardly through the front wall thereof and said gears arranged for withdrawal through the upward opening of said gear housing upon withdrawal of saidshafts' through the front wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening, said cover being accessible from said fuel compartment. 1

arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, said trough conduit having a water-tight connection with said floor, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gearhousing having a front wall and an imperforate rear wall, said gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, gearing and shafting disposed in said gear housing, said shafting arranged to be withdrawn forwardly through the front wall of said gear housing and said gearing arranged to be withdrawn through said upwardly directed opening upon withdrawal of said shaftingthrough the front wall of the gear housing.

6. In a locomotive tender having fuel and water compartments, partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a bottom sheet forming the floor of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor including a trough conduit ar ranged to receive fuel from said fuel compart- 1nent,'a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, said trough conduit having a water-tight connection with said floor, drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing having a front wall and 1 an imperforate rear wall, said gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, gearing and shafting disposed in said gear housing, said shafting arranged to be withdrawn forwardly through the front wall of said gear housing and said gearing arranged to be withdrawn through said upwardly-directed opening upon withdrawal of said shafting through the front wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening, said cover being accessible from said fuel compartment.

"7. In a locomotive tender having fuel and water compartments, partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a bottom sheet forming the floor of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor positioned below the levelof said floor including a trough conduit arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said troughconduit, said trough conduit having a water-tight connection with said floor, drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing having a front wall and an imperforate rear wall, said gear housing pro vided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, gearing and shafting disposed in said gear housing, said detachable portion fitting over said cover.

8. In a locomotive tender having fuel and water compartments, partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a bottom sheet forming the floor of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor including a trough conduit arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, said trough conduit having a water-tight connection with said floor, drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing having a front wall and an imperforate rear wall, said gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, gearing and shafting disposed in said gear housing, said shafting arranged to be withdrawn forwardly through the front wall of said gear housing and said gearing arranged to be withdrawn through said upwardly directed opening upon withdrawal of said shafting through the front wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening disposed below the floor of said compartment, said floor being provided with a hinged portion fitting over said cover.

9. In a locomotive tender having fuel and water compartments, partition plates separating said fuel and water compartments including a bottom sheet forming the fioor of said fuel compartment, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor including a trough conduit arranged to receive fuel from said fuel compartment, a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, said trough conduit having a water-tight connection with said floor, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing having a front wall and an imperforate rear wall, said gear housing being provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, gearing and shafting disposed in said gear housing, bearings detachably secured to the front wall of said housing for supporting said shafting, said shafting arranged to be withdrawn forwardly through the front wall of said gear housing and said gearing arranged to be withdrawn through said upwardly directed opening upon withdrawal of said shafting through the front wall of the gear housing.

10. In a locomotive tender having a floor and a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor, said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a drive shaft in said gear housing operatively connected to said conveyor screw, a gear in said housing operatively connected to said drive shaft, said drive shaft arranged to be withdrawn from said gear housing through one wall thereof and said gear arranged for withdrawal through the upward opening of said gear housing into said fuel compartment upon withdrawal of said drive shaft through the said one wall of the gear housing.

11. In a locomotive tender having a floor and a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor, said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit conveyor positioned below the level of said floor,

and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a drive shaft in said gear housing operatively connected to said conveyor screw, a gear in said housing operatively connected to said drive shaft, said drive shaft arranged to be withdrawn from said gear housing through one wall thereof and said gear arranged for withdrawal through the upward opening of said gear housing into said fuel compartment upon withdrawal of said drive shaft through the said one wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening disposed below the floor of said fuel compartment, said floor .9 being provided with a detachable portion fitting over said cover. 12. In a locomotive tender having a floor and a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker 25 said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a drive shaft in said gear housing operatively connected to said conveyor screw, a gear in said housing operatively con nected to said drive shaft, said drive shaft arranged to be withdrawn from said gear housing through the front wallthereof and said gear arranged for withdrawal through the upward opening of said gear housing into said fuel compartment upon withdrawal of said drive shaft through the front wall of the gear housing.

13. In a locomotive tender having a floor and ,45 a fuel compartment above said floor, a stoker conveyor positioned below the level of said floor, said stoker conveyor including a trough conduit and a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said trough conduit, and drive mechanism for operating said conveyor screw from its rearward end, said drive mechanism including a gear housing provided with an upward opening directed within the confines of said fuel compartment, said gear housing including a rear wall and a front wall forming a closure for the rear portion of said trough conduit, a drive shaft in said gear housing operatively connected to said conveyor screw, a gear in said housing operatively connected to said drive shaft, said drive shaft arranged to be withdrawn from said gear housing through the front wall thereof and said gear arranged for withdrawal through the up-' ward opening of said gear housing into said fuel compartment upon withdrawal of said drive shaft through the front wall of the gear housing, and a detachable cover for said upward opening said cover being accessible from said fuel compartment.

NATHAN M. LOWER. 'm 

